In studying animals this week, my boys and I learned that the groundhog usually hybernates until March. This gave me new appreciation for poor Punxsutawney Phil, who is most likely rudely awakened annually.
Not to take anything away from Phil, but February 2 holds greater meaning for me. My maternal grandfather was born on February 2, 1922 in the middle of a blizzard in Luck, WI. The last birthday we celebrated with him was in 2002 (02-02-2002). He pass away on July 31, 2002, which he had predicted; he figured he would die from his 10-year cancer bout by August. But, then he was always good at figuring. Perhaps he and Punxsutawney Phil have more in common than I thought.
Happy Birthday, Grandpa!
One of my book club's met last night to discuss The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun with Paul Hattaway. This is the true story of a man who suffered years of imprisonment in China for his Christian beliefs. It's a stunningly intense, detailed account, one I had to digest over several weeks. What shocks me most is that this man went through all this within the last three decades, and that he is still alive! I highly recommend this book to anyone who has become complacent in their faith or who needs to understand what Chinese Christians endure on a daily basis for their faith.
One of the accounts struck a personal chord with me. While preaching in Canada, Brother Yun received word that a Christian American journalist had printed an article claiming, basically, that all the events of Yun's life were fabrications. It also revealed the whereabouts of his family who were seeking refuge outside China. All this hurt Brother Yun terribly, and he didn't understand why the journalist didn't seek the truth about him by contacting him or reading documents from his organization. His translator told him, "'Brother Yun, these people don't want to know the truth. That's why they're not calling you or wanting to meet you. In China, Christians are persecuted with beatings and imprisonment. In the West, Christians are persecuted by the words of other Christians.'" (See pages 306-309) In other words, Chinese Christians are persecuted by their government who does not believe in Christ as Savior. American Christians are persecuted by the words of those who claim the same faith, who if asked would say they strive to be more Christ-like. What message are we sending to believers of other countries, visitors that walk into our own churches, members we sit next to and shakes hands with every week when we do not seek to know the truth about each other, spread vicious lies, and then claim piety and devotion to the cross? I have experienced both sides of this. The pain of hurting a fellow believer by speaking out of turn is no less painful than being verbally chastised by someone claiming to be my brother or sister in Christ. So for myself and those who love Christ I hope we will "encourage one another, as long as it is called Today, so that none of [us] may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Hebrews 3:13 NIV). "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24 NIV) Lord, make it so!
Not sure how she managed this one. :)
We had new wood floors installed last week. So, our sweet Zoe got her first "shoes." The picture doesn't show the hilarious lifting of her back legs in trying to shake them off the first time. But, she has adjusted nicely to them now and waits for us to put them on after coming in from outside. Enjoy!
As often happens when I like an author, I begin collecting any work I can get my hands on. I found Tomas Transtromer: Selected Poems 1954-1986 edited by Robert Haas in a second-hand bookstore in Stillwater, MN over ten years ago. I am thrilled that more collections of his poems are more readily available. I recently purchased The Half-Finished Heaven: The Best Poems of Tomas Transtromer chosen and translated by Robert Bly and Tomas Transtromer:The Great Enigma, New Collected Poems translated by Robin Fulton. So, here is my question...
Which translation of Kyrie is better?
I personally prefer Robin Fulton's version, which appears in Haas' edition. The words "invisibly," "slowly," "tread" work for me better than Bly's ""no one sees me," "for a long, long time," "thump." I assume Haas liked Fulton's translation best since he used it. And, like Haas, I would choose Bly's Nocturne translation over Fultons.
I will also say, I wish I knew Swedish. It must be so much better to read the poems exactly how Transtromer wrote them!
One of my favorite poems is Kyrie by Tomas Transtromer. The beginning line, "Sometimes my life opened its eyes in the dark," became a spin-off line for my own poem Adjusting the Darkness from my book The Last Time We Were Children. I also titled one of my own "life" poems Kyrie and followed Transtromer's form. This entire poem, translated by Robin Fulton, stood out starkly to me as a college student. That first line spoke to my mood at the time, and the shortness of the poem (eight lines) succeeds at the art of speaking universal truth in brevity. (Something I have not quite learned, but continue trying.) But, what makes this poem one of my top ten is the way it moves me at different times of my life. I had no idea when I read this poem at 21, that at the age of 30 it would help me relate to another dark time of my life, when my eyes snapped wide open to a new challenge. In the wake of learning one of my sons has autism, I understood the "feeling as if crowds drew through streets/in blindness and anxiety on the way towards a miracle,/while I invisibly remain standing." Anyone who has a child with autism will tell you there are too many of us, yet we feel awfully alone. Oh for the day, when "the doors of darkness open" completely! Yet, all is not bleak, and there is the lure of Transtromer again. In many of his poems, there is a melancholy tone along with some unreachable, tangible hope. I wish I knew what moved Transtromer to write this poem. But, I am grateful to him for writing it and what it means to me.
A very personal thank you to all who attended my book signing at Waldenbooks in Northtown on Saturday, November 17, 2007. Most signings sell five to ten copies. Your enthusiasm for my book sold 31 books outright! If you missed the signing, there are an additional 10 signed copies in the store. Thank you for supporting my first book, and I hope you enjoy reading and sharing it with others. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I finished reading Astrid and Veronika by Lisa Olsson this afternoon. While most will enjoy this book for its theme about female friendships that transcend age and tragic circumstances, I began reading this book for very different reasons. Not only did my mother recommend it by giving me a copy, but I am lately drawn to Swedish authors. My own book of poetry is influenced by Tomas Transtromer, Kjell Espmark, and Lars Gustafsson. I have never been to Sweden, though I hope to visit one day, yet as I read Swedish authors I find natural kinship with them. As well I should I suppose being half-Swedish. There is no exception after completing Olsson's novel. But, I found another connection to this author because she uses poetry within her novel. Not only does she begin each chapter with a poetic heading, but her own style of writing contains the rhythm and imagery of a hidden poet, not just a translator. While her book has received mixed reviews and I see the point of those who see its shortcomings, as the author of a first book and an avid reader, I say "well done" to Ms. Olsson. I hope she will continue to write with the same lyric, compelling style and incorporate poetry in her future stories. For me, the linking of these two genres made the book that much more inviting and intriguing.
Tate Publishing and Enterprises
The Lord gave the Word; great was the company of those that published it.”
-Psalms 68:11
Penny J Johnson Book Signing Event
Date: November 17, 2007 Time: 1pm – 3pm
Waldenbooks
212 Northtown Dr, Blaine, MN
We hope to see you there!
Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC
Can’t make the event?
Go to www.tatepublishing.com to visit our online bookstore to get a copy!
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